Steve Jobs: Health Problems 'More Complex Than I Originally Thought'

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Steve Jobs: Health Problems 'More Complex Than I Originally Thought'

Apple chief Steve Jobs' health concerns are more serious than the company had previously been announced.

"During the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought," he wrote in an e-mail to Apple employees (see below). "In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June."

Experts had questioned the earlier announcement that an easily-solvable hormonal issue had caused Jobs' recent weight loss. For the first time in quite a while, he didn't make his customary appearance at MacWorld. Trading of Apple stock was halted after the announcement. Apple COO Tim Cook will take charge of the company in Jobs' absence. The e-mail ends, "I look forward to seeing all of you this summer."

Update: The news didn't reach the press as quickly as it could have due to a rare mix-up by the company that sends out Apple's press releases. We later received the full text of the e-mail, which is on Gadget Lab.